The highly creative cocktails from the CTC are specially designed to highlight some of life’s touchstone moments, creating a sense of nostalgia and amusement between consumers. From the ‘Spilt Milk’ to the ‘ApairOTeef’ which contains a combination ofPisco, cardamom-pear infusion, white balsamic and sparkling wine, the inspired cocktails reminisce life’s universally relatable milestones, in the brand’s perfected tongue-in-cheek style.
Where did you grow up?
Grew up in Camden Town.
What did you aspire to be when you grew up?
Originally I wanted to be a rapper, then a chef. Then finally a bartender which I suppose is a kind of rapping chef.
How did you find your way into the world of drinks?
I literally woke up one day and decided “I want to be a bartender”. I spent months trying to get a job when finally a manager at a pub in Chelsea took pity on me and gave me a job waiting tables and pulling pints.
How did the idea for your company, Cocktail Trading Company come about?
There are 2 aspects to theCTC. The first is the company structure, 25% of the company belongs to the team members working in the venue. It’s nearly impossible to bank any savings with the peanuts that sometimes bars pay their staff. So we adopted the living wage long before it was brought in, and at the end of every fiscal year give out the team a lump some of the profits which they can bank straight away.The other aspect was just creating a fun environment for our customers.
Where do you find inspiration for your drink recipes?
All over the place, literally! You could be sitting on the bus day dreaming when all of a sudden a killer idea hits you.
What interesting trends/themes are going on in the spirits world? What’s on your radar at the moment?
The main one is bartenders opening bars. For so long bar ownership has been out of the reach of the people that make bars great, but now with all sorts of investors out there it’s no longer unattainable.Product/flavour trend wise, bitters has finally been welcome by the British public, Aperol got the trend moving along with Negroni cocktails, and now people are finally taking a step out of their comfort zones.
What are four spirits that you always keep handy and what do you mix them with?
Sweet vermouth, a bottle of beefeater, a bottle of angastora bitters, and of course the staple of any bartender, a bottle of Campari
Whats next for you?
For me personally I am a little late work wise and need to make 200 white chocolate dentures!For the cocktail trading company we just want to carry on making fun drinks and hopefully launch a few more bar ideas we have down the pipe line.
Find out more information about Andy and the Cocktail Trading Company here…